33 years old Rwandan Salima Mukansanga will make history as the first woman to officiate at an African Cup of Nations!

Rwanda’s Salima Mukansanga will make history at the African Cup of Nations as the first woman to ever referee at the tournament.

The 33-year-old is already an experienced and well-respected official in the women’s game, having taken charge of matches at the Women’s World Cup, Africa Women’s Cup of Nations and the CAF Women’s Champions League.

She is part of the FIFA International Referees List – making her qualified to officiate at international level and wear a FIFA badge on her uniform.

Mukansanga also served as a referee in the women’s football event at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in Japan.

The Rwandan referee has been given the opportunity to take charge of matches at one of men’s football’s major international tournaments.

Others female referee are; Carine Atemzabong (Cameroon), Fatiha Jermoumi (Morocco), and Bouchra Karboubi (Morocco).

The other three females would work as assistant referees, Salima Mukansanga will officiate as a center referee.